BaconReader - A Reddit reader even vegetarians can enjoy!

Everyone likes bacon right? Of course you do, and now you can take bacon with you around everywhere. Ok it's BaconReader for Reddit, not actually bacon you can carry around. But it's a pretty awesome Reddit reader that has a ton of features built in:

Full user profile support

Color coded comment threads

Easy to use, full featured inbox

Rageface and look of disapproval support

One-tap access to your favorite subreddits

Search for new subreddits based on name or keyword and subscribe to them

If you're looking for a new way to dig into Reddit content, then make sure you take BaconReader for a spin. If you're really hardcore, you can upgrade to remove within the app for $1.99 to remove ads. You can hit the break for the download link and some more screenshots.

Researchers at N.C. State University have performed a study of eight Android phones (HTC's Legend, EVO 4G, and Wildfire S; Motorola's Droid and Droid X; Samsung's Epic 4G; and the Nexus One and Nexus S from Google) and found more potentially disturbing information. While the Nexus phones and OG Droid (phones that run stock Android) had one minor security issue, namely a code bug in the pico app that would allow another app to delete the pico installer app, the rest of the bunch didn't fare so well. All the phones with customized versions of Android had serious security issues

In particular, by exploiting these leaked capabilities, an untrusted app on these affected phones can manage to wipe out the user data on the phones, send out SMS messages (e.g., to premium numbers), record user conversation, or obtain user geo-locations – all without asking for any permission.

Apparently because the system applications built by vendors such as HTC, Moto, and Samsung are all signed with the same digital signing key, they are able to inter-communicate and access each other's data. While this is a serious security flaw, it's also possible that it was done by design so that applications like Friendstream or Social Hub can easily parse social networking app data and aggregate it, and these researchers just found a new method to exploit that system.

While the implications for Android are new, the idea of exploit attacks on popular computing platforms is not. As Android grows in popularity, more people will be focused on finding (and reporting) exploits against the OS. Researchers have dutifully reported the issue to Google and all the OEM's, although they express difficulty dealing with HTC and Samsung who (as of this writing) the researchers say have been "very slow in responding, if not ignoring our reports/inquires".

Should you be worried? Not any more than you were yesterday. Malware exists because a whole hell of a lot of people use Android, and users are not restricted to installing only approved applications. If these types of reports bother you -- and that's a pretty valid response -- you still have the option of installing only trusted applications by well-known developers, or other options to not run the affected firmware on your phone. And while nobody wants to hear me say it again (but I'm about to anyway), Nexus devices running Android as it was written are once again immune from these serious issues, so are always the better choice if you value your security.

The developer of one of our favorite Android kids apps is backing, bringing its version of the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to Android smartphones and tablets. Like its previous title, Wheels on the Bus, your kid taps its way through the app, with plenty of creatures and characters to interact with while learning the song.

In this case, the Itsy Bitsy Spider's working his way up the drain, in the rain, back down the spout again, and all that jazz. But it's got some friends along for the ride, and things get a little ... interesting when the snail turns into a banana, and a Nyan Cat sort-of-looking thing slides down the rainbow.

For just $1.99, it's good for the kid, and weird enough to keep the parents amused. Hit the break for download links.

Amazon forced to cancel some ASUS Transformer Prime preorders

Here's one of those good news/bad news things: It looks like the ASUS Transformer Prime and its new quad-core Tegra 3 internals is proving to be quite popular. Too popular. So popular, in fact, that Amazon's canceling some preorders, citing a lack of availability. Here's the e-mail that's going 'round:

Due to a lack of availability from our suppliers, we will not be able to
obtain the following item(s) from your order:

Paper Zombie slice and dices its way into the Android Market

Looking for something new to get addicted to? Yeah, we figured as much, and today the folks at Wildbit Studios have launched a new free game into the Android Market called Paper Zombie. Combining a first person shooter style, with an action filled adventure this game is sure to draw your interest, and create hours of entertainment. Check out the video above for a quick overview, and then be sure to hit the break for download links!

AT&T teasing New York City with taste of LTE

It looks like the LG Nitro HD wasn't the only thing to hit New York City last night: the shiny new flagship is currently surfing on AT&T's 4G LTE network, which hasn't been "officially" switched on yet here in the Big Apple. We'll go ahead and assume that AT&T is still in the testing phases here in the five boroughs, with an official statement on its way. Whether it's here to stay or just a dry run, one thing is clear: AT&T is pulling some major speeds. Last night saw Ookla's Speedtest clocking in at 56.59 Mbps down and 12.81 Mbps up, which is almost too good to be true. Sure enough, this afternoon has already "slowed down" to 13.48 Mbps down and 1.14 Mbps up. Either way, New Yorkers looking to snag the Nitro HD on Sunday will surely be impressed by their data speeds.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus car dock, desktop docks finally appear

While most of us here in the states are still anxiously awaiting to get our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the folks at MobileFun have got their hands on some pretty awesome accessories for it. They took some time to show off the accessories, such as the car dock, HDMI dock, spare battery charger, and the pin dock. Some pretty awesome accessories here that we hope will follow along to the US with the device in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for more informaion. Hit the break for some more images and videos!

We've said before that we fully expect U.S. carriers other than Verizon to make available subsidized versions of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and this looks like a pretty good step in that direction. The FCC has approved the GT-i9250T, which is a Galaxy Nexus sporting radio frequencies for 3G on 850 MHz and 1900 MHz, which AT&T (among others outside the states) uses. This is different than the GSM version many of us have already imported in that it's lacking the 1700 MHz band for T-Mobile 3G (also called AWS). So it's a pretty good bet that we may well see a proper AT&T release at some point.

Why an entirely different version for AT&T if the current GSM model works just fine? Wouldn't want you to even have the possibility of skipping over to T-Mobile, we reckon. Not a huge deal, but also a little odd.

SEGA partners with PapayaMobile to release Fallen Realms

A new role-playing game for the Android platform enhanced with Papaya’s social features has been released in the Android Market and for those of you who enjoy classic turned-based battle controls that don't really require a lot of attention-- it might be worth a look.

Fallen Realms, places you in a free to play fantasy world where you must earn, discover, or purchase a deep assortment of weapons, armor, and magic to customize your character all in an effort to unearth seven dark artifacts whose powers will save or destroy all.

If you're not really a hardcore gamer and more a casual gamer who likes easy to control touch and play based games, Fallen Realms may be a perfect fit. It's pretty basic in its offerings and for some -- may feel repetative. Download link is past the break for you all, as well check out the source link for more info.

Rovio explains new permissions in Angry Birds Seasons update

Angry Birds Seasons just got a new holiday update. But along with the new levels in "Wreck the Halls" came a few new permissions, including phone state and SMS permission, that furrowed a few brows. We caught up with Rovio for a big of explantion. Here 'tis:

On Android, the Angry Birds game itself asks only for the permission to use the Internet. Versions of the game that include advertisements, support for in-app purchases, or both, require additional permissions. The ones that might concern our customers the most are coarse location, phone state and SMS related permission.

Coarse Location:
Coarse location is used to target advertisements geographically, for example to avoid showing Chinese advertisements in the USA and vice-versa. Android also allows finer location discovery, but we have decided not to enable it for advertisement purposes.

Phone State Permissions:
The phone state permission is used to identify devices in order to implement advertisement frequency capping and targeting. Basically the aim is to avoid a situation where our customer has to view the same advertisement too many times on the device in question.

Rovio does take privacy issues very seriously. The Android permissions that our games require are constantly reviewed and we strive to provide the best possible user experience while respecting our customers’ privacy.

Vector Unit announces new game Shine Runner, available now

Vector Unit, the folks behind Riptide GP (one of the best games for Android ever), has let us know that a new title -- Shine Runner -- will be available tomorrow in the Android Market. Imagine the same type of amazing physics and graphics used for futuristic Jet-Skis in Riptide GP, but imported into a moonshine runners airboat deep in the southern swamps, complete with gators, shacks, stumps, and revenuers. The game's goal is to maximize your score over a ten day period of smuggling through rivers and bayous, while keeping a step ahead of Johnny Law. But I think I'm going to end up with the same mindset as Ralf Knoesel, Vector Unit’s Technical Director, who says:

Our theme for this game is simple. Two words: ’Redneck Chaos.’ Yes, there’s strategy to the trading meta-game, but personally I just love smashing alligators into chicken coops, punting cops off the tops of levies… I’ve been working on Shine Runner for months now and I still laugh when I’m playing.

You had me at redneck chaos, Ralf. Hit the jump to see a few more screenshots and a gameplay trailer, then join me as we all wait patiently for tomorrow.

CyanogenMod updates on CM9 progress, reminds us all it doesn't use Carrier IQ

The CyanogenMod team today has dropped a little update on the progress of CM9, its custom, Android Open Source Project-based build of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The short version is they're still working on it, but a slew of phones already have early builds. Devices with TI OMAP 4, Qalcomm MSM 8660/7X30 and Samsung Exynos processors will likely see full relesases first, and some Tegra 2 tablets (like the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and ASUS Eee Pad Transformer) will as well. And on the legacy side, sorry, original Droid owners, it's being put out to pasture.

In a separate post, the CM team reminds us that it doesn't use Carrier IQ. Never have, never will. We all knew that, of course, but it's nice to hear it out loud.

Androidland - The world's first Android store in Melbourne

If you've ever looked at some of our past coverage of trade shows, you no doubt noticed that when Google is in attendance -- they like to do things big. They bring lots of phones to put on display, have plenty of Android gear around and its always a very hands-on experience,

Telstra in Australia has now taken some of that tradeshow feeling and turned into a retail experience with the launch of the worlds first Android store in Melbourne. After having worked with Google and various other partners such as HTC, Motorola, Sony Ericsson & Samsung to create Androidland, Telstra is planning to keep the 154 square metre store open for the next 6 months and beyond, depending on customer benefit.

Customers are welcome to come play Angry Birds on a big screen TV and more importantly go hands-on with the devices they could potentially be purchasing and get in-store help Telstra representatives. What do you guys think? Pretty Awesome right?

Carrier IQ, in a new press release, reminds us it works for the carriers

Carrier IQ has issued a new press release defending its business and reminding us all that it works not unilaterally, but for the operator -- the carrier. The nut:

Carrier IQ acts as an agent for the Operators. Each implementation is different and the diagnostic information actually gathered is determined by our customers – the mobile Operators. Carrier IQ does not gather any other data from devices.